Food container assembly

ABSTRACT

A serving platter includes a main body defining a serving area having a plurality of dividing walls separating the serving area into a plurality of serving sections for receiving food items therein for presentation to a person for eating and at least one partitioning wall separating each serving section into a primary serving well and a secondary serving well. The cover further includes a cover removably coupled to the main body and positionable between a transport configuration, wherein the cover is arranged above and seals the serving area, and a serving configuration, wherein the cover is arranged and sealed beneath the main body.

I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a U.S. nonprovisional patent application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to, U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/032,476, filed Feb. 29, 2008. Furthermore, the present application is a continuation-in-part patent application of, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to: U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/028,824, filed Feb. 10, 2008; U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/028,825, filed Feb. 10, 2008; U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/028,826, filed Feb. 10, 2008; U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/028,827, filed Feb. 10, 2008; U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/028,828, filed Feb. 10, 2008; and U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser. No. 12/028,829, filed Feb. 10, 2008. Each of these above-mentioned patent applications, and any and all U.S. patent application publications thereof, is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

II. COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

III. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Trays for snacks and appetizer-type foods are generally known. Such trays provide a place to display these foods for presentation and for eating. They also generally make it easier to transport these foods. Unfortunately, many trays do not have sealing lids that enable them to serve as food containers during transport from one location to another, e.g., from a restaurant to a home. Therefore, when foods that are traditionally presented on a tray are transported from one location to another, a container other than the tray is generally used during transport.

Another problem that exists, particularly for foods such as chicken wings that create their own waste, is finding a place to put the waste prior to its being thrown away. In most cases, a trash receptacle is not located within easy reach of a table or other dining area, typically because it is unsanitary or unsightly. As such, a diner is faced with the problem of having a place to put the waste while the food creating the waste is being eaten. Generally, such waste is unappetizing and an eater would prefer to have the waste out of sight while continuing to eat.

Anderson et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/870,538, which published as U.S. patent application publication no. 2008/0029427, which patent reference is incorporated herein by reference, addresses one or more of the foregoing problems. Similarly, Shew et al., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/028,810, which patent reference, and any U.S. patent application publication thereof, are incorporated herein by reference, addresses one or more of the foregoing problems. While the solutions presented therein may be suitable for their intended purposes, needs exists for alternative solutions to one or more of the foregoing problems. One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention provide such an alternative.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features.

In a first aspect, a serving platter includes a main body and a shallow lid. The main body portion includes a top portion defining a serving area comprising a plurality of primary serving wells for receiving food items therein for presentation to a person for eating, and a bottom portion defining a substantially enclosed interior space. The top portion also defines a disposal opening configured to receive therethrough food waste for deposit into the substantially enclosed interior space. The top portion also includes a plurality of dividing walls that define and separate the primary serving wells. The shallow lid is configured to be removably coupled to the main body such that the lid is positioned above and extends over and seals off the serving area. Furthermore, each of the dividing walls is engaged by the lid, when it is removably coupled to the main body, such that two serving wells are isolated from one another by a dividing wall engaged with the lid.

In features of this aspect, the lid defines a plurality of dividers, each of the dividing walls of the main body being generally aligned with a respective divider, such that two wells are isolated from one another by a dividing wall engaged with a divider when the lid is removably coupled to the main body; a dividing wall is engaged by a divider by being received within a recess or channel that is defined by the lid; the top portion and the bottom portion are part of a single molded piece; each of the primary serving wells shares in common a dividing wall with another primary serving well; the disposal opening comprises a circular opening centrally located relative to the serving area and each dividing wall extends generally linearly away from the circular opening; each dividing wall extends from the circular opening to the outermost peripheral wall of the main body; the periphery of the main body is generally rectangular; the serving platter consists of four equally dimensioned primary serving wells symmetrically arranged about the disposal opening of the serving area; each primary serving well has a bottom defining a food support surface, and the food support surface is planar and configured to be generally horizontal when the serving platter is placed on a generally horizontal surface; the top portion further defines a secondary serving well that is defined at least partially by a partitioning wall that extends between adjacent sides of the outermost peripheral wall of the main body; the top portion further defines a secondary serving wells that is defined by a partitioning wall that extends between two dividing walls and by an outermost peripheral wall of the main body; and/or each secondary serving well includes a volume that is less than half of the volume of each primary serving well.

In another aspect of the invention, a serving platter includes a generally rectangular main body that is a single molded piece formed during a molding process. The main body includes a top portion defining a serving area and a bottom portion defining a substantially enclosed interior space. The top portion includes a plurality of dividing walls defining and separating a plurality of primary serving wells for receiving food items therein for presentation to a person for eating. The top portion also includes a plurality of secondary serving wells, each secondary serving well being defined by a partitioning wall that extends between adjacent sides of the outermost peripheral wall of the main body, wherein each secondary serving well has a volume that is less than half of the volume of each primary serving well. The top portion further defines a disposal opening configured to receive therethrough food waste for deposit into the substantially enclosed interior space.

In further accordance with this aspect, the serving platter includes a shallow lid that is configured to be removably coupled to the main body such that the lid is positioned above and extends over the serving area to seal off the serving area. The lid defines a plurality of dividers, and each of the dividing walls of the top portion of the main body is generally aligned with and engaged by a respective divider of the lid, when the lid is removably coupled to the main body, such that two primary serving wells are sealed off from one another by a dividing wall engaged with a divider.

In a feature of this aspect, the also seals off the disposal opening when the lid is removably coupled to the main body, whereby the interior space of the bottom portion is completely enclosed. Alternatively, the lid includes an opening that corresponds to the disposal opening such that the lid does not seal off the disposal opening when the lid is removably coupled to the main body. In such alternative embodiment, a sauce container may be received and retained within the disposal opening when the lid is coupled to the main body for convenient transport of the serving platter and sauce container.

In another aspect of the invention, a serving platter includes a generally rectangular main body. The main body includes a top portion that defines a serving area comprising four equally dimensioned primary serving wells for receiving food items therein for presentation to a person for eating. The main body also includes a bottom portion that defines a substantially enclosed interior space. The bottom portion preferably defines the substantially enclosed interior space in conjunction with the top portion, and the top portion defines a disposal opening that is configured to receive therethrough food waste for deposit into the substantially enclosed interior space. Furthermore, the four primary serving wells are symmetrically arranged about the disposal opening of the serving area.

In further accordance with this aspect, the top portion includes a plurality of dividing walls defining and separating the primary serving wells. The top portion and the bottom portion also are part of a single molded piece that is formed by a molding process. The serving platter further includes a shallow lid that is configured to be removably coupled to the main body such that the lid is positioned above and extends over the serving area and seals off the serving area. The lid defines a plurality of dividers, and each of the dividing walls of the top portion of thee main body is generally aligned with and engaged by a respective divider of the lid, when the lid is removably coupled to the main body, such that two wells are sealed off from one another by a dividing wall engaged with a divider. Additionally, the lid engages the top portion such that the lid seals off the disposal opening when the lid is removably coupled to the main body, whereby the interior space of the bottom portion is completely enclosed.

In another aspect of the invention, a serving platter includes a main body. The main body includes a top portion defining a serving area comprising a plurality of primary serving wells for receiving food items therein for presentation to a person for eating; and a bottom portion defining a substantially enclosed interior space. The top portion further defines a disposal opening configured to receive therethrough food waste for deposit into the substantially enclosed interior space. In accordance with this aspect, the top portion includes a plurality of dividing walls defining and separating the primary serving wells; and the top portion further defines a plurality of secondary serving wells, each secondary serving well being defined by a partitioning wall that extends between adjacent sides of the outer peripheral wall of the main body.

In features of this aspect, the top portion and the bottom portion are part of a single molded piece; each of the primary serving wells shares in common a dividing wall with another primary serving well; each secondary serving well includes a volume that is less than half of the volume of each primary serving well; the disposal opening comprises a circular opening centrally located relative to the serving area; each dividing wall extends generally linearly away from the circular opening; each dividing wall extends from the circular opening to the outer peripheral wall of the main body; the main body is generally rectangular; the serving platter consists of four primary serving wells; the serving platter consists of four equally dimensioned primary serving wells symmetrically arranged about the disposal opening of the serving area; and/or each primary serving well has a bottom defining a food support surface, and wherein the food support surface is planar and configured to be generally horizontal when the serving platter is placed on a generally horizontal surface.

In another feature, the serving platter further includes a lid removably that is coupled to the main body such that the lid is positioned above and extends over the serving area during transport of the serving platter, the lid defining a plurality of dividers, wherein each of the dividing walls is generally aligned with and engaged by a respective divider such that two wells are isolated from one another by a dividing wall engaged with a divider, and wherein each of the partitioning walls is generally aligned with and engaged by a respective divider such that a primary serving well and a secondary serving well are isolated from one another by a partitioning wall engaged with a divider. In connection with this feature, a dividing wall is engaged by a divider by being received within a channel or recess that is defined by the lid.

In another aspect, a serving platter includes a generally rectangular, single molded piece. The main body includes a top portion defining a serving area comprising a plurality of primary serving wells for receiving food items therein for presentation to a person for eating; and a bottom portion defining a substantially enclosed interior space, the top portion defining a rounded opening centrally located relative to the serving area and configured to receive therethrough food waste for deposit into the substantially enclosed interior space. In accordance with this aspect, the top portion includes a plurality of dividing walls defining and separating the primary serving wells, each dividing wall extends generally linearly away from the rounded opening to an outer peripheral wall of the main body, each of the primary serving wells sharing in common a dividing wall with another primary serving well; and the top portion further defines a plurality of secondary serving wells, each secondary serving well being defined by a partitioning wall that extends between adjacent sides of the outer peripheral wall of the main body, each secondary serving well having a volume that is less than half of the volume of each primary serving well.

In a feature of this aspect, the serving platter further includes a lid removably coupled to the main body such that the lid is positioned above and extends over the serving area and seals off the central opening of the top portion. The lid further preferably defines a plurality of dividers, each of the dividing walls being generally aligned with and engaged by a respective divider such that two wells are sealed off from one another by a dividing wall engaged with a divider. Each of the partitioning walls also preferably is generally aligned with and engaged by a respective divider such that a primary serving well and a secondary serving well are isolated from one another by a partitioning wall engaged with a divider.

In still another aspect of the invention, a serving platter includes a generally rectangular, single molded piece. The main body includes top portion defining a serving area and a bottom portion. The top portion includes four primary serving wells for receiving food items therein for presentation to a person for eating, and four secondary serving wells. The bottom portion defines a substantially enclosed interior space, the top portion defining a rounded opening centrally located relative to the serving area and configured to receive therethrough food waste for deposit into the substantially enclosed interior space. In accordance with this aspect, the top portion includes four dividing walls defining and separating the four primary serving wells, each dividing wall extending generally linearly away from the rounded opening to an outer peripheral wall of the main body, each of the four primary serving wells sharing in common a dividing wall with another of the four primary serving wells; and the top portion further includes four partitioning walls, each partitioning wall extending between adjacent sides of the outer peripheral wall of the main body, each serving well having a volume that is less than half of the volume of each primary serving well.

In a feature of this aspect, the serving platter further includes a lid that is configured to be removably coupled to the main body such that the lid is positioned above and extends over the serving area and seals off the central opening of the top portion. Moreover, the lid preferably defines a plurality of dividers, each of the dividing walls being generally aligned with and engaged by a respective divider such that two wells are sealed off from one another by a dividing wall engaged with a divider; and each of the partitioning walls also preferably is generally aligned with and engaged by a respective divider such that a primary serving well and a secondary serving well are isolated from one another by a partitioning wall engaged with a divider.

In another aspect, a serving platter includes a main body and a cover. The main body portion, defining a serving area, includes a plurality of dividing walls separating the serving area into a plurality of serving sections for receiving food items therein for presentation to a person for eating, and at least one partitioning wall separating each serving section into a primary serving well and a secondary serving well. The cover is removably coupled to the main body and positionable between a transport configuration, wherein the cover is arranged above and seals the serving area, and a serving configuration, wherein the cover is arranged and sealed beneath the main body.

In features of this aspect, the cover is removably coupled to the main body in a frictional fit; the cover is made from a translucent material; the cover is made from a transparent material; and the cover is made from a non-translucent, non-transparent material. In further features of this aspect, the main body defines a substantially enclosed interior space and a disposal opening configured to receive therethrough food waste for deposit into the substantially enclosed interior space; the disposal opening includes a circular opening centrally located relative to the serving area; each dividing wall extends generally linearly away from the circular opening; the serving platter consists of four equally dimensioned serving sections symmetrically arranged about the disposal opening of the serving area; the main body is a single molded piece; each of the serving sections shares in common a dividing wall with another serving section; and each secondary serving well includes a volume that is less than the volume of each primary serving well.

In further features of this aspect, each serving section has a bottom defining a food support surface, and each food support surface is planar and configured to be generally horizontal when the serving platter is placed on a generally horizontal surface; the cover defines a plurality of dividers arranged to be aligned with and engage the dividing walls of the main body when the cover is positioned in the transport configuration, thereby isolating adjacent serving sections from one another; the dividers are further arranged to be aligned with and engage the partitioning walls of the main body when the cover is positioned in the transport configuration, thereby isolating primary and secondary serving wells from one another within respective serving sections; and the partitioning wall is circular-shaped.

In another aspect of the invention, a serving platter includes a main body and a cover removably coupled to the main body. The main body defines a serving area and a substantially enclosed interior space below the serving area having a disposal opening arranged therein; a plurality of dividing walls extending generally linearly away from the disposal opening to an outer peripheral wall of the main body, wherein the dividing walls separate the serving area into four serving sections for receiving food items therein for presentation to a person for eating; and at least one partitioning wall separating each serving section into a primary serving well and a secondary serving well. The cover portion is removably coupled to the main body and positionable between a transport configuration, wherein the cover is arranged above and seals each serving section separately such that adjacent serving sections are isolated from one another, and a serving configuration, wherein the cover is arranged and sealed beneath the main body. The disposal opening is configured to receive therethrough food waste for deposit into the substantially enclosed interior space.

In features of this aspect, the serving platter consists of four equally dimensioned serving sections symmetrically arranged about the disposal opening of the serving area; each serving section has a bottom defining a food support surface, and the food support surface is planar and configured to be generally horizontal when the serving platter is placed on a generally horizontal surface; and the partitioning wall is circular-shaped.

Additional aspects of the invention include methods of making and using serving platters in accordance with the foregoing aspects.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the present invention, it should be noted that the present invention further encompasses the various possible combinations of such aspects and features.

V. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a serving platter in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the serving platter of FIG. 1, wherein a lid thereof has been decoupled and separated from a main body of the serving platter, thereby uncovering a serving area.

FIGS. 3-5 are various perspective views of the main body of the serving platter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the main body of the serving platter of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a serving platter in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, shown in a transport configuration.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the serving platter of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the serving platter of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is representative side view of the four sides of the serving platter of FIG. 7.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the serving platter of FIG. 7, shown in a serving configuration.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the serving platter of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the serving platter of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a representative side view of the four sides of the serving platter of FIG. 11.

VI. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the present invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. Moreover, many embodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and fall within the scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese.”

Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the present invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

Turning now to the drawings, a serving platter 10 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In FIG. 1, a shallow lid 12 and main body 14 of the serving platter are removably coupled together. In contrast, the lid 12 is shown decoupled and separated from the main body 14 in FIG. 2, thereby uncovering a serving area 16 of the serving platter. The lid 12 is removably coupled to the main body 14 in a frictional fit such that the lid 12 is positioned above and extends over the serving area 16 and seals off the serving area 16. Food items disposed on the serving platter 10 are thereby covered and protected from the environment and from being spilled during transport and/or storage of the serving platter 10. Although not illustrated, the frictional fit may be enhanced by grooves, recesses, indentations, ridges and the like. Moreover, a separation tab 44 further is incorporated on the lid 12 to aid in uncovering the main body 14 of the serving platter 10.

In at least one preferred commercial embodiment, the lid 12 is at least partially fabricated of a translucent or transparent material so that food items carried on the serving platter 10 may be at least partially viewed through the lid during transport. Alternatively, the lid 12 is neither translucent nor transparent.

The main body 14 of the serving platter additionally is shown from different perspective views in FIGS. 3-5. FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the main body 14 of the serving platter.

The main body 14 is generally rectangular and preferably comprises of a top portion 18 and a bottom portion 20 that together constitute a single molded piece. The top portion 18 defines the serving area 16, which includes a plurality of primary serving wells 22 for receiving food items therein for presentation to a person for eating. The bottom portion 20 defines a substantially enclosed interior space 24.

The top portion 18 includes a generally circular rim 26 that defines a disposal opening configured to receive therethrough food waste for deposit into the substantially enclosed interior space 24. The generally circular rim 26 defining the disposal opening is centrally located relative to the serving area 16.

The top portion 18 includes a plurality of dividing walls 28 defining and separating the primary serving wells 22 such that each primary serving well 22 shares a dividing wall 28 in common with another primary serving well 22. Each dividing wall 28 extends from the circular opening generally linearly away from the circular opening to an outermost peripheral wall 30 of the main body 14.

A plurality of partitioning walls 32 defines a plurality of secondary serving wells 34. Each secondary serving well 34 is defined by a partitioning wall 32 that extends between adjacent sides of the outermost peripheral wall 30 of the main body 14, whereby each secondary serving well 34 is located at a corner of the serving platter 10. Each secondary serving well 34 preferably is smaller than each primary serving well 22, and each secondary serving well 34 may include a volume that is less than half of the volume of each primary serving well 22.

Each of the dividing walls 28 is engaged by the lid 12 such that two serving wells 22 are isolated from one another by a dividing wall 28 engaged with the lid 12. In particular, the lid 12 defines a plurality of dividers 36, each of the dividing walls 28 of the main body 14 is generally aligned with a respective divider 36 when the lid 12 is removably coupled to the main body 14, and each dividing wall 28 is engaged by the corresponding divider 36 such that two primary serving wells 22 are isolated from one another by their common dividing wall 28 and the lid 12. Each divider 36 preferably comprises a channel or recess defined by the lid 12, and each dividing wall 28 is engaged by being frictionally received by a divider 36 (i.e., within a recess or channel defined by the lid 12).

Moreover, the lid 12 preferably defines a plurality of additional dividers 38 for which each of the partitioning walls 32 is generally aligned when the lid 12 is removably coupled to the main body 14. In this respect, each partitioning wall 32 is engaged by the corresponding divider 38 such that a primary serving well 22 and a secondary serving well 34 are isolated from one another by the partitioning wall 32 and the corresponding divider 38 with which the partitioning wall 32 is engaged. Each divider 38 that engages a partitioning wall 32 also comprises a channel or recess defined by the lid 12, and each partitioning wall 32 is engaged by being frictionally received within such recess or channel.

The serving platter 10 as shown consists of four equally dimensioned primary serving wells 22 that are symmetrically arranged about the disposal opening of the serving area 16. Furthermore, each primary serving well 22 has a bottom defining a food support surface, and the food support surface is generally planar and is configured to be generally horizontal in orientation when the serving platter 10 is placed on a generally horizontal surface, such as a tabletop or countertop.

The lid 12 also includes a generally circular divider 40 which engages the rim 26 of the top portion when the lid 12 is removably coupled to the main body 14, whereby the disposal opening is sealed off from the primary serving wells 22 as well as from the exterior of the serving platter 10 by the lid 12.

The serving platter 10 may be used to serve, store, and transport food items, particularly appetizer-type food items that create their own waste, naturally or otherwise. An example of such a food item is chicken wings. Additional food items may include tail-on shrimp, ribs, or food items for which toothpicks are to be utilized as an assembly tool or utensil, such as meatballs. It is contemplated that different primary serving wells 22 may hold differing kinds of food items, e.g., two wells 22 may hold chicken wings, one well 22 may hold celery, and another well 22 may hold carrots. It is also contemplated that different wells 22 may hold similar food items that have been prepared differently or prepared with different kinds of sauces, e.g., one well 22 may hold chicken wings prepared with mild sauce, one well 22 may hold chicken wings prepared with medium sauce, one well 22 may hold chicken wings prepared with hot sauce, and another well 22 may hold chicken wings prepared with no sauce. In any event, it is preferred that each primary serving well 22 be capable of receiving therein a plurality of a particular food item, such as ten chicken wings, in such a way as to prevent food in one primary serving well 22 from inadvertently spilling over and coming into contact with food in another primary serving well 22 as well as in a secondary serving well 34.

The secondary wells 34 preferably hold sauces or dips that go with the food items contained within the respective primary serving wells 22. Alternatively, the secondary serving wells 34 may also hold similar food items as the primary serving wells 22, but just in less quantity.

Each of the primary serving wells 22 is approximately as deep as the height of the outermost peripheral wall 30, and the well-dividing walls 28 are approximately the same height as the outermost peripheral wall 30. In at least some embodiments, the top of an innermost conical wall 42 that includes the rim 26 defining the disposal opening is commensurate with the top of the dividing walls 28 and with the top of the outermost peripheral wall 30. In other embodiments, the top of the dividing walls 28 is commensurate with the top of the outermost peripheral wall 30 of the serving platter 10, but the top of the innermost conical wall 42 extends slightly above the top of the dividing walls 28 and the top of the outermost peripheral wall 30.

Because the dividing walls 28, partitioning walls 32, and innermost conical wall 42 (i.e., rim 26) each engages the lid 12, the lid 12 provides a stabilizing structure for the serving platter 10 when the lid 12 is removably coupled to the main body 14. Moreover, it is believed that slight extension of the innermost conical wall 42 above the outermost peripheral wall 30 and the top of the dividing walls 28 and partitioning walls 32 increases the stability that is provided when the lid 12 is removably coupled to the main body 14.

In use, the serving area 16 of the serving platter 10 is loaded with the desired food items, e.g., chicken wings, typically in a kitchen or other food preparation area of a restaurant or the like, by placing the food items in the primary serving wells 22 thereof. The lid 12 is then secured to the main body 14 of the serving platter 10 so that the serving platter 10 may be transported to the dining area, which may be a table in a restaurant, a consumer's own kitchen at home, or any other location at which food may be consumed. Because at least a portion of the receptacle platter 10 is preferably translucent or transparent, a server or customer-as the case may be-will be able to see the food items carried on the serving platter 10 during transport. This may be particularly advantageous in the food service industry for the situation wherein users are take-out customers. The customer will be able to view his order to make sure that it is accurate without having to remove the lid 12 and expose the serving area 16.

At the dining area, the serving platter 10 may be prepared for use simply by removing the lid 12 from the main body 14 by a waitperson, a diner, or the like. Then, as a piece of food is eaten, any food waste created by the food item, e.g., chicken wing bones, may be discarded by dropping the waste through the disposal opening for receipt into the substantially enclosed interior space 24.

In the chicken wing example, this allows a user to eat chicken wings located on the serving platter 10 and easily and neatly discard the bones through the disposal opening of the serving platter 10. The bones are collected in the substantially enclosed interior space 24 of the serving platter 10. As such, the bones are neatly contained within the serving platter 10 while the chicken wings are being eaten. When a user has finished eating the chicken wings, he is left with an eating area free of unsightly, messy bones. Further, the bones may be easily removed from the area by removing the entire serving platter 10.

The bones may be disposed of in a waste receptacle by simply throwing the serving platter 10 away. In this scenario, the serving platter 10 is made from an inexpensive plastic similar to other disposable food containers. Indeed, if the serving platter 10 itself is to be disposable and, thus, intended only for single use, then the serving platter 10 may be fabricated from a variety of thermoplastic materials. Examples include polypropylene, polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). They are preferably fabricated of vacuum formed polypropylene. Vacuum forming lends itself to forming relatively flexible components, and the components are well suited to being disposed of after a single use or limited number of uses. Alternatively, the serving platter 10 may be manufactured in a pulp molding process or in some other inexpensive manufacturing process. Pulp molding products are well known and include audio speaker cones and egg cartons. Pulp molding further enables low cost, three-dimensional branding as a result of the ability to selectively raise portions of the surface during the pulp molding.

A disposable serving platter 10 may be preferred for take-out customers of the food service industry. With the serving platter 10 of the present invention, a customer is able to order a food item that is typically served in a restaurant on a serving platter and is able to eat the particular food item as he would eat it in the restaurant, i.e., on a serving platter. In addition, the customer is able to enjoy the benefit of discarding waste into the enclosed interior space of the serving platter 10 and then dispose of the entire serving platter 10 after use.

It is also contemplated that a serving platter 10 may be comprised of a more durable material and therefore may be particularly suitable for repeated use. In a more durable embodiment, the serving platter 10 is preferably relatively more long lasting and rigid and are formed in one or more molding processes. The molding processes may include injection molding, rotational molding, and/or blow molding. In this embodiment, it is further preferred that the serving platter is injection molded polypropylene. Moreover, the upper portion and bottom portion of the main body preferably are removably coupled together, whereby food waste received within the substantially enclosed space readily may be dumped from the bottom portion of the main body and the top and bottom portions may be washed for later re-use. The more durable, rigid serving platter 10, because of the sturdy construction, may be used multiple times with washings between uses. As such, this embodiment may be preferred for commercial food service establishments, such as restaurants, to be used by dine-in customers.

In another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 7-14, a serving platter 110 includes a cover 111 and main body 114 that are removably coupled together. In FIG. 11, the cover 111 is shown decoupled from above the main body 114 and reattached beneath the main body 114, thereby uncovering a serving area 116 of the serving platter. As shown in FIGS. 7-10, the serving platter 110 may be arranged in a transport configuration, whereby the cover 111 is secured snugly atop the main body 114. Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 11-14, the serving platter 110 may also be arranged in a serving configuration, whereby the cover 111 has been removed from atop the main body 114 and reattached beneath the serving platter 110.

When arranged in the transport configuration, the cover 111 is removably coupled to the main body 114 in a frictional fit such that the cover 111 is positioned above and extends over the serving area 116 and seals off the serving area 116. Food items disposed on the serving platter 110 are thereby covered and protected from the environment and from being spilled during transport and/or storage of the serving platter 110. Although not illustrated, the frictional fit may be enhanced by grooves, recesses, indentations, ridges and the like.

In at least one preferred commercial embodiment, the cover 111 is at least partially fabricated of a translucent or transparent material so that food items carried on the serving platter 110 may be at least partially viewed through the cover 111 during transport. Alternatively, the cover 111 is neither translucent nor transparent.

The main body 114 includes a substantially enclosed interior space 124 beneath the serving area 116 and a plurality of serving sections 121 for receiving food items therein for presentation to a person for eating. When arranged in the serving configuration, the cover 111 is removed from atop the serving area 116 and reattached beneath the main body 114 to reveal the contents of the serving sections 121 in the serving area 116. The main body 114 includes a generally circular rim 126 that defines a disposal opening configured to receive therethrough food waste for deposit into the substantially enclosed interior space 124 beneath the serving area 116. The generally circular rim 126 defining the disposal opening is preferably centrally located relative to the serving area 116.

The main body 114 includes a plurality of dividing walls 128 defining and separating the serving sections 121 such that each serving section 121 shares a dividing wall 128 in common with another serving section 121. Each dividing wall 128 extends from the circular opening generally linearly away from the circular opening to an outermost peripheral wall 130 of the main body 114.

One or more partitioning walls 132 separate each serving section 121 into a primary serving well 122 and a secondary serving well 134. Each pairing of primary and secondary serving wells 122,134 is defined by a partitioning wall 132, whereby each secondary serving well 134 is located at a corner of the serving platter 110. Each secondary serving well 134 preferably is smaller than each primary serving well 122, and each secondary serving well 134 may include a volume that is less than half of the volume of each primary serving well 122. In a preferred embodiment, shown in FIGS. 11-12 a single, circular-shaped partitioning wall 132 intersects each of the dividing walls 128 where each dividing wall 128 abuts the outermost peripheral wall 130 of the main body 114. In this manner, each primary serving well 122 is situated interiorly of the partitioning wall 132, and each secondary serving well 134 is situated exteriorly of the partitioning wall 132.

Each of the dividing walls 128 is engaged by the cover 111 when the serving platter 110 is arranged in the transport configuration such that two serving sections 121 are isolated from one another by a dividing wall 128 engaged with the cover 111. In particular, the cover 111 defines a plurality of dividers 136, whereby each of the dividing walls 128 of the main body 114 is generally aligned with a respective divider 136 when the cover 111 is removably coupled to the main body 114. Each dividing wall 128 is engaged by the corresponding divider 136 such that two serving sections 121 are isolated from one another by their common dividing wall 128 and the cover 111. Each divider 136 preferably comprises a channel or recess defined by the cover 111, and each dividing wall 128 is engaged by being frictionally received by a divider 136 (i.e., within a recess or channel defined by the cover 111).

Moreover, the cover 111 preferably defines a plurality of additional dividers 138 with which each of the one or more partitioning walls 132 is generally aligned when the cover 111 is removably coupled to the main body 114 in the transport configuration. In this respect, each partitioning wall 132 is engaged by the corresponding divider 138 such that a primary serving well 122 and a secondary serving well 134 are isolated from one another by the partitioning wall 132 and the corresponding divider 138 with which the partitioning wall 132 is engaged. Each divider 138 that engages a partitioning wall 132 also comprises a channel or recess defined by the cover 111, and each partitioning wall 132 is engaged by being frictionally received within such recess or channel.

The serving platter 110 as shown consists of four equally dimensioned primary serving sections 121 that are symmetrically arranged about the disposal opening of the serving area 116. Furthermore, each serving section 121 has a bottom defining a food support surface, and the food support surface is generally planar and is configured to be generally horizontal in orientation when the serving platter 110 is placed on a generally horizontal surface, such as a tabletop or countertop.

The cover 111 also includes a generally circular divider 140 which engages the rim 126 of the top portion when the cover 111 is removably coupled to the main body 114 when in the transport configuration, whereby the disposal opening is sealed off from the serving sections 121 as well as from the exterior of the serving platter 110 by the cover 111.

The serving platter 110 may be used to serve, store, and transport food items, particularly appetizer-type food items that create their own waste, naturally or otherwise. An example of such a food item is chicken wings. Additional food items may include tail-on shrimp, ribs, or food items for which toothpicks are to be utilized as an assembly tool or utensil, such as meatballs. It is contemplated that different primary serving wells 122 may hold differing kinds of food items, e.g., two wells 122 may hold chicken wings, one well 122 may hold celery, and another well 122 may hold carrots. It is also contemplated that different wells 122 may hold similar food items that have been prepared differently or prepared with different kinds of sauces, e.g., one well 122 may hold chicken wings prepared with mild sauce, one well 122 may hold chicken wings prepared with medium sauce, one well 122 may hold chicken wings prepared with hot sauce, and another well 122 may hold chicken wings prepared with no sauce. In any event, it is preferred that each primary serving well 122 be capable of receiving therein a plurality of a particular food item, such as ten chicken wings, in such a way as to prevent food in one primary serving well 122 from inadvertently spilling over and coming into contact with food in another primary serving well 122 as well as in a secondary serving well 134.

The secondary wells 134 preferably hold sauces or dips that go with the food items contained within the respective primary serving wells 122. Alternatively, the secondary serving wells 134 may also hold similar food items as the primary serving wells 122, but just in less quantity.

Each of the serving sections 121 is approximately as deep as the height of the outermost peripheral wall 130, and the well-dividing walls 128 are approximately the same height as the outermost peripheral wall 130. In at least some embodiments, the top of an innermost conical wall 142 that includes the rim 126 defining the disposal opening is commensurate with the top of the dividing walls 128 and with the top of the outermost peripheral wall 130. In other embodiments, the top of the dividing walls 128 is commensurate with the top of the outermost peripheral wall 130 of the serving platter 110, but the top of the innermost conical wall 142 extends slightly above the top of the dividing walls 128 and the top of the outermost peripheral wall 130.

Because the dividing walls 128, partitioning walls 132, and innermost conical wall 142 (i.e., rim 126) each engages the cover 111, the cover 111 provides a stabilizing structure for the serving platter 110 when the cover 111 is removably coupled to the main body 114. Moreover, it is believed that slight extension of the innermost conical wall 142 above the outermost peripheral wall 130 and the top of the dividing walls 128 and partitioning walls 132 increases the stability that is provided when the cover 111 is removably coupled to the main body 114.

In use, the serving area 116 of the serving platter 110 is loaded with the desired food items, e.g., chicken wings, typically in a kitchen or other food preparation area of a restaurant or the like, by placing the food items in the primary serving wells 122 thereof. The cover 111 is then secured to the main body 114 of the serving platter 110 in the transport configuration so that the serving platter 110 may be transported to the dining area, which may be a table in a restaurant, a consumer's own kitchen at home, or any other location at which food may be consumed. Because at least a portion of the receptacle platter 110 is preferably translucent or transparent, a server or customer—as the case may be—will be able to see the food items carried on the serving platter 110 during transport. This may be particularly advantageous in the food service industry for the situation wherein users are take-out customers. The customer will be able to view his order to make sure that it is accurate without having to remove the cover 111 and expose the serving area 116.

At the dining area, the serving platter 110 may be prepared for use simply by removing the cover 111 from the main body 114 by a waitperson, a diner, or the like, and attaching the cover 111 beneath the main body 114 to reveal the contents of the serving sections 121 of the serving area 116. In this regard, the serving platter 110 is converted from the transport configuration to the serving configuration. Then, as a piece of food is eaten, any food waste created by the food item, e.g., chicken wing bones, may be discarded by dropping the waste through the disposal opening for receipt into the substantially enclosed interior space 24.

In the chicken wing example, this allows a user to eat chicken wings located on the serving platter 110 and easily and neatly discard the bones through the disposal opening of the serving platter 110. The bones are collected in the substantially enclosed interior space 124 of the serving platter 110. As such, the bones are neatly contained within the serving platter 110 while the chicken wings are being eaten. When a user has finished eating the chicken wings, he is left with an eating area free of unsightly, messy bones. Further, the bones may be easily removed from the area by removing the entire serving platter 110.

The bones may be disposed of in a waste receptacle by simply throwing the serving platter 110 away. In this scenario, the serving platter 110 is made from an inexpensive plastic similar to other disposable food containers. Indeed, if the serving platter 110 itself is to be disposable and, thus, intended only for single use, then the serving platter 110 may be fabricated from a variety of thermoplastic materials. Examples include polypropylene, polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). They are preferably fabricated of vacuum formed polypropylene. Vacuum forming lends itself to forming relatively flexible components, and the components are well suited to being disposed of after a single use or limited number of uses. Alternatively, the serving platter 110 may be manufactured in a pulp molding process or in some other inexpensive manufacturing process. Pulp molding products are well known and include audio speaker cones and egg cartons. Pulp molding further enables low cost, three-dimensional branding as a result of the ability to selectively raise portions of the surface during the pulp molding.

A disposable serving platter 110 may be preferred for take-out customers of the food service industry. With the serving platter 110 of the present invention, a customer is able to order a food item that is typically served in a restaurant on a serving platter and is able to eat the particular food item as he would eat it in the restaurant, i.e., on a serving platter. In addition, the customer is able to enjoy the benefit of discarding waste into the enclosed interior space of the serving platter 110 and then dispose of the entire serving platter 110 after use.

It is also contemplated that a serving platter 110 may be comprised of a more durable material and therefore may be particularly suitable for repeated use. In a more durable embodiment, the serving platter 110 is preferably relatively more long lasting and rigid and are formed in one or more molding processes. The molding processes may include injection molding, rotational molding, and/or blow molding. In this embodiment, it is further preferred that the serving platter is injection molded polypropylene. Moreover, the upper portion and bottom portion of the main body preferably are removably coupled together, whereby food waste received within the substantially enclosed space readily may be dumped from the bottom portion of the main body and the top and bottom portions may be washed for later re-use. The more durable, rigid serving platter 110, because of the sturdy construction, may be used multiple times with washings between uses. As such, this embodiment may be preferred for commercial food service establishments, such as restaurants, to be used by dine-in customers.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention.

Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof. 

1. A serving platter, comprising: (a) a main body including a disposal opening defined therethrough, the main body defining a serving area having a plurality of dividing walls separating the serving area into a plurality of serving sections for receiving food items therein for presentation to a person for eating (b) a cover removably coupled to the main body and positionable between (i) a transport configuration, wherein the cover is arranged above and seals the serving area, and (ii) a serving configuration, wherein the cover is arranged beneath the main body such that (A) a substantially enclosed interior space is defined by the cover and the main body, and (B) the disposal opening is configured to receive therethrough food waste for deposit into the substantially enclosed interior space.
 2. The serving platter of claim 1, wherein the cover is removably coupled to the main body in a frictional fit.
 3. The serving platter of claim 1, wherein the cover is made from a translucent material.
 4. The serving platter of claim 1, wherein the cover is made from a transparent material.
 5. The serving platter of claim 1, wherein the cover is made from a non-translucent, non-transparent material.
 6. The serving platter of claim 1, wherein the serving area includes at least one partitioning wall separating each serving section into a primary serving well and a secondary serving well.
 7. The serving platter of claim 1, wherein the disposal opening comprises a circular opening centrally located relative to the serving area.
 8. The serving platter of claim 7, wherein each dividing wall extends generally linearly away from the circular opening.
 9. The serving platter of claim 1, wherein the serving platter consists of four equally dimensioned serving sections symmetrically arranged about the disposal opening of the serving area.
 10. The serving platter of claim 1, wherein the main body is a single molded piece.
 11. The serving platter of claim 1, wherein each of the serving sections shares in common a dividing wall with another serving section.
 12. The serving platter of claim 6, wherein each secondary serving well includes a volume that is less than the volume of each primary serving well.
 13. The serving platter of claim 1, wherein each serving section has a bottom defining a food support surface, and wherein the food support surface is planar and configured to be generally horizontal when the serving platter is placed on a generally horizontal surface.
 14. The serving platter of claim 1, wherein the cover defines a plurality of dividers arranged to be aligned with and engage the dividing walls of the main body when the cover is positioned in the transport configuration, thereby isolating adjacent serving sections from one another.
 15. The serving platter of claim 6, wherein the cover defines a plurality of dividers arranged to be aligned with and engage the dividing walls of the main body when the cover is positioned in the transport configuration, thereby isolating adjacent serving sections from one another, and wherein the dividers are further arranged to be aligned with and engage the partitioning walls of the main body when the cover is positioned in the transport configuration, thereby isolating primary and secondary serving wells from one another within respective serving sections.
 16. The serving platter of claim 64, wherein the partitioning wall is circular-shaped. 17-20. (canceled) 